American Racing at the NORRA 1000

The 50th anniversary NORRA 1,000 descended on the Baja California region of Mexico this spring with a pair of notable American Racing entries: the No. 318 F150 co-driven by Taylor Anderson and Wheel Pros’ own Scott Cobett, and the No. 26 Ford Bronco with photographer Boyd Jaynes and marketing exec Brian Godfrey.

Both entries – the 1971 F150, and the 1968 Bronco – campaigned the historic event’s “Pioneer” division, for vehicles built between 1967 and 1975.

“This is a great opportunity to hearken back to our heritage: American Racing was there at the first Mexican 1000, and there at the 50th,” said co-driver and Wheel Pros Marketing Director Cobett. American Racing has been in business since it was founded in 1956 as a manufacturer of magnesium and aluminum racing wheels.

The National Off Road Racing Association competition links timed special stages and controlled transit sections over hundreds of miles and four days. This year’s route ran from Ensenada to Cabo and the field included vintage off-road vehicles and motorcycles, as well as modern desert rally raid cars, pre-runner trucks, buggies and motorcycles.

Current promoter Mike Pearlman has a long family legacy with the race. His father, Ed, was a key figure in the establishment of the NORRA Mexican 1000 off-road rally, the 1967 precursor to what has become the Baja 1000.

Although the event focuses more on fun than fast, it’s still a competition: Jaynes and Brian finished 73rd and took home the “Steve McQueen memorial trophy” award for the fastest pioneer-era vehicle, while Anderson and Cobett finished 86th out of 137 four-wheel starters.